SWATI SAYAJI PATIL Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PIL Nos. 95/2013, 97/2014 and Notice of Motion (L) No. 456 of 2014 are not on board. Upon mentioning, they are taken on board and are heard and disposed of with Criminal PIL No. 56 of 2014.

(2.) Heard the learned counsel appearing in two PILs and the Petitioner appearing in person in one PIL. By these petitions, Petitioners are seeking an appropriate writ, order and direction, directing the Respondent State of Maharashtra to prevent children below the age of 18 years from taking part in performances which are popularly known as "Dahi Handi", which is organised during celebrations, which are held on occasion of birth of Lord Krishna in the city of Bombay and all over Maharashtra. The second grievance of the Petitioner is that very often on account of number of tiers , which are arranged by the performers, who are known as Govindas, every year several such Govindas suffer permanent injuries and in some case they die on account of fall from a height and no safety measures are undertaken by these performers. Their other grievance is that not only the performers, but also those who are watching these events also suffer on account of fall of Govindas on them.

(3.) We had asked the learned Public Prosecutor to look into the matters and he has informed us that State of Maharashtra has issued a directions after inquiry under Section 13(1) and 14 of the Maharashtra Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.